Agents of SMOOCH
122 episodes - English - Latest episode: 23 days ago -A podcast that’s looking for love in all the right places. Join the Agents of SMOOCH as we delve into the romance of sweeping epics and classic romcoms. Our mission is to investigate the important questions: Should they or shouldn’t they? Is there such a thing as One True Love? Did that smooch have any chemistry? We might not have all the answers, but we know you had us at “Hello.”
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Episodes
121: The Box Agenda
June 21, 2024 08:23 - 1 hour - 115 MBFor our last mission of Season 5, we are going back to the eighties with Desperately Seeking Susan. This is Madonna just being Madonna and adding her perfect fashion sense to this film. Add Rosanna Arquette and Aidan Quinn with a splash of amnesia and mistaken identities and it’s a delightful 80s romcom. Our agents were happy to revisit this movie and find that it reflects a more modern sensibility than we expected. Get out of the box and help us find the elusive Susan. Annette Wierstra ...
120: Save the Cat!
June 07, 2024 08:54 - 53 minutes - 98.3 MBIt’s another Romance in Action mission with Argylle. Let’s be honest. Our Director mandated this mission purely for the cat content which she rates very highly. Follow cat-loving novelist Elly Conway (Bryce Dallas Howard) as she is pulled out of her fictional imaginings into the IRL world of spy craft with the mysterious stranger Aiden (Sam Rockwell). Warning: This mission will contain rainbow fog. Annette Wierstra with Sandra Wong and Moisés Chiullán.
119: Throw the Thumbs Up
May 24, 2024 08:48 - 52 minutes - 96.1 MBWe’ve got more Romance in Action with The Fall Guy movie. Get ready for comedy, stunt action, and romance from Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Our Agents went on this mission to the theatre and later recorded this episode in person. The Agents thought the meta references to the movie industry, with the right dash of mystery and romance made for perfect escapism. Will we watch it again? Definitely. Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk, Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky.
118: The Kiss That Broke the Internet
May 10, 2024 08:14 - 1 hour - 117 MBIt’s our Director’s birthday! She is using her power to make the Agency do a mission about Aziraphale and Crowley in Good Omens. If you like seeing Angels and Demon romance each other in a gentle comedy about the end of the universe, this is the episode for you. Annette Wierstra with Heather Berberet and Stacy Watnick.
117: I Carried a Watermelon
April 26, 2024 08:58 - 1 hour - 120 MBReturn to the Eighties’ version of the Sixties as we explore summer camp, first loves, progressive politics, and never putting Baby in a corner. After this week’s Dirty Dancing mission, we’re saying forget cop/not-a-cop pairings, let’s have more dancer/not-a-dancer matchups. Annette Wierstra with Stacy Watnick.
116: Dangerous Things on Tractors
April 12, 2024 08:46 - 1 hour - 148 MBOur agents are kicking off their Sunday shoes for this mission. It’s time to fight for your prom and get Footloose. This mission explores how teenagers gonna teenage and whether Footloose still holds up 40 years later. Join our discussion of sex, religion, politics, and shaking your bootie in a rainfall of glitter. Back to the Future makes several surprising cameos, but it all makes sense—trust us. So get up off of your knees and everybody cut footloose. Annette Wierstra with Shelly Brisbi...
115: Kick Your Butt, Buttercup
March 29, 2024 08:21 - 1 hour - 131 MBOur Agents were so excited about Mr. & Mrs. Smith, that they just jumped right back in with the 2024 series. This is not a chronological episode but entirely based on what the Agents are excited about. This is another intense relationship in an intense fantastical situation and literal booms exploding. We dig deep into love and communication while making wild speculations about what could come next for John and Jane if we get a season 2. Annette Wierstra with Heather Berberet.
114: Full of Wild Notions
March 15, 2024 08:03 - 1 hour - 140 MBFor today’s mission, our Agents take on The Buccaneers, an Apple TV series that is scandal-laden and somewhat historical. The modern sensibility and soundtrack laid over the historical invasion of rich American debutants into cash-strapped British upper-class society make for an energetic vibe. If you missed it, our Agents recommend catching up before joining us for a good gossip about the collection of characters. In lieu of research, these Agents have chosen to go for wild historical specul...
113: A Metaphorical Solution
March 01, 2024 09:15 - 1 hour - 125 MBOur Agents are back with another Romance in Action mission with Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Part 1). We are starting with the 2005 movie that shows Great Truths Hidden Under the Fantastical. On the surface, this is a movie about two married spies flirting by trying to kill each other. Underneath the fantasy, this movie is about the safety of expressing your feelings and true self to your partner. Grab your hidden stash of weapons, it’s about to get dangerous-metaphorically. Don’t blow up your house, Ag...
112: And Boy, Will They
February 16, 2024 09:54 - 57 minutes - 106 MBWe are back with a classic Romance in Action from 1986: The Big Easy. We have Dennis Quaid practicing the art of seduction with Ellen Barkin amid a murder investigation. With a seedy 80s vibe, they follow a trail of clues that lead them deeper into a corrupt mess in New Orleans. The investigation keeps pulling them apart making us wonder: Will they or won’t they? Annette Wierstra with Deborah Stanish and Shelly Brisbin.
111: A Lack of Malevolence
February 02, 2024 09:00 - 56 minutes - 103 MBOur Director Annette Wierstra interviews playwright and writer Reina Hardy in advance of the release of her Hallmark movie Paging Mr. Darcy. They discuss Jane Austen, conferences, Regency dancing, and casting Austen heroes. They also dive into how one gets into writing a Hallmark movie, the logistics of writing a screenplay, and the experience of having your script come to life. Annette Wierstra with Reina Hardy.
110: It's Time (Loop) to Free Your Squee
December 27, 2023 01:00 - 1 hour - 123 MBI’m freeing my squee about this new podcast on the Incomparable. Drs. Stacy Watnick and Heather Berberet asked me to join them on Free The Squee for their holiday episode about Round and Round, the time loop Hanukkah movie. We loved it. And we are sure you will too. To get more Free the Squee, subscribe on your favourite podcatcher, or find them on the Incomparable website: https://www.theincomparable.com/fts/ Heather Berberet and Stacy Watnick with Annette Wierstra.
109: Flaws in the Ikea Rug
December 22, 2023 09:58 - 1 hour - 141 MBIt’s time for our annual holiday movie marathon. Don your Christmas PJs, gather your festive snacks, and get out the Holiday Bingo Cards. Our Agents watched three Christmas movies of varying quality and enjoyed every minute of it. We watched: A Biltmore Christmas Christmas in Notting Hill Where Are You, Christmas? We also discuss other movies we have watched this holiday season: Must Love Christmas Checkin’ it Twice Fit for Christmas Ex-mas Mystery at Mistletoe Lane Merry Mystery Chri...
108: No Love Story Just Murder
December 08, 2023 09:59 - 52 minutes - 96 MBIt’s time for the holidays! And what better way to celebrate than with the Christmas action movie Long Kiss Goodnight with Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson? You might think this movie is the antithesis of a Hallmark holiday movie, but it is the struggle between the two sides of amnesiac Samantha/Charlie. Will she stick with the idyllic small-town family life she created or return to the life of an international spy? Annette Wierstra with Erika Ensign and Brian Warren.
107: Competency Porn Star
November 24, 2023 09:58 - 1 hour - 124 MBFor this mission, our Agents discuss Ocean’s 8 as part of our Romance in Action series. How much do we love this all-women heist movie cast? A lot. A lot a lot. Join us as we discuss a fantastic cast of characters, couture fashion, and safe spaces. And of course, we dive right into the romantic tension that underlays this entire film. Bring on the sequel, please. Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk and Heather Berberet.
106: Hit Me With a Fish
November 10, 2023 09:33 - 41 minutes - 75.8 MBWe are back with another Romance in Action with a mission in praise of fluff. Ghosted matches up Chris Evans and Ana de Armas again in a spy/not a spy action adventure. We don’t recommend it as a stalkering road map for finding love IRL, but it is full of chases, OTT villains, and a plot that takes us across the globe. If you want a fun escape with pretty people in nice clothes chasing MacGuffins, this movie is about as deep as you need it to be. Annette Wierstra with Deborah Stanish.
105: The Evil Energy of the House
October 31, 2023 08:51 - 1 hour - 140 MBSurprise! We are dropping an extra special episode because we wanted to spend Halloween with you. We’ve got a wonderfully gothic romance for you to read from Uncanny Magazine which will set the perfect seasonal scene. So light some candles, close the doors and windows tight, and join us as we explore Radcliffe Hall by Miyuki Jane Pinckard. Annette Wierstra with James Thomson, Shelly Brisbin and Erika Ensign.
104: She's the Legend
October 27, 2023 08:22 - 1 hour - 110 MBThis week’s mission is all about time travel, romance, and saving the human race from destruction by our robot overlords. As we continue our Romance in Action series we chose a classic favourite: 1984’s The Terminator. We are going to talk about the tension, the murder, the time travel, and the naked men. But we are going to focus on Sarah Connor and how great she is as a character and her epic romance story. Come with us if you want to live! Annette Wierstra with Deborah Stanish and Erik...
103: I'm Gliding Here
October 13, 2023 08:08 - 1 hour - 114 MBJoin us for a new series: Romance in Action. We are starting with one of our favourite actors Sandra Bullock in an Action RomCom Miss Congeniality (which definitely did not have a sequel). Over 20 years after it came out, Miss Congeniality still wins our hearts. Are we a Sandra Bullock podcast now? Maybe. Annette Wierstra with Jean MacDonald, Kirsten Goruk and Heather Berberet.
102: Stop Fidgeting & Smile
September 29, 2023 08:00 - 49 minutes - 90.9 MBOur Agents did a double mission for this episode going to the Pretty Woman Musical and rewatching the Pretty Woman movie. They begin discussing how a 1990 romcom starring a sex worker held up much better than you might expect and they embrace being Julia Roberts stans. Then they discuss how the musical is good fan service and whether it can hold up to the source material. Put on your tallest boots and shortest skirt and join us! Annette Wierstra with Kirsten Goruk.
101: She Needs a Gardener
September 15, 2023 08:49 - 1 hour - 162 MBWelcome to season 4 of Agents of SMOOCH! We are starting with Queen Charlotte with a very deep dive into the Great Experiment, love and mental health, and tending your garden at any age. The series gave our Agents more feelings than they expected, in the best way.
100: The Hugh Grant Clause
May 10, 2023 08:59 - 1 hour - 156 MBIt’s our 100th episode! It’s also our Director’s 50th birthday! That means this episode’s mission is a romantic trope draft. How else would the Agency celebrate? Our agents start by sharing their favourite memories from the past 100 episodes before diving into draft. Join the party and get ready to sniped.
99: 10 Things I Hate about 10 Things I Hate About You
April 28, 2023 08:06 - 47 minutes - 86.5 MBOur Agents return to 10 Things I Hate About You but this mission investigates the 2009 television show. Director Annette and Agent Erika watch the first episode together for “a mere soupçon of crap.” This leaves the Director with a lot of questions which Erika tries to answer on this solo mission. Join us for 10 Things Erika Hates About 10 Things I Hate About You (the TV Show). For balance, she also lists 10 things she likes (hint: it’s Ethan Peck).
98: He Didn't Eat A Duck
April 14, 2023 08:12 - 1 hour - 156 MBOur agents gather to discuss Shakespeare turned teen romcom 10 Things I Hate About You from 1999. This is movie beloved by many agents for many reasons such as the soundtrack, Julia Stiles, and improvements on Shakespeare’s original story. Come back to high school and find out why we don’t hate this movie. Not even a little bit.
97: Devasting Romance Only
March 31, 2023 08:40 - 1 hour - 138 MBMost of our Agents aren’t fans of Zombies or horror but somehow The Last of Us television series kept them tuning in each episode. If you’ve been with us for a while, you already know why: it was love. Join us as we explore the romantic love, platonic love, parental love, and twisted love that is motivating the action and the characters within this series.
96: Their Gender is Assassin
March 17, 2023 08:19 - 1 hour - 131 MBIt is time for our Agents to get into the inspiration for our Pirates series: Season 1 of Our Flag Means Death. This romantic comic pirate series has inspired a lot of feelings from our Agents - not just for our lead characters: Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) and Black Beard (Taika Watiki) but for the entire crew of misfit pirates. We are excited to bring you on board for this mission while we wait for Season 2 of this adventure on the sea.
95: The Fast & Furious on Boats
March 03, 2023 11:11 - 1 hour - 163 MBOur Agents continue their pirate mission with a review of all five Pirates of the Caribbean movies. They tackle important questions like: Can a fight scene be too long? What is an acceptable age gap between suitors? When should your Kraken be light and when should it be intense? Join us as we try to focus on the first movie but end up discussing the full series at length. Trigger warning: We talk about the allegations about Johnny Depp from 50 to 62 minutes so you can skip that part or you ...
94: Is This a Kissing Podcast?
February 17, 2023 09:02 - 1 hour - 124 MBIt’s time for more pirates and the beloved Princess Bride (1987) movie. This is a movie our agents know by heart but they are coming back to after a long period of absence. Does this change our perspective of the classic romantic adventure? We dive right in with a focus on the romance between Princess Buttercup and her Wesley. Is it a great epic romance? They also consider how this story might shift if anyone dared to give it a modern reboot (inconceivable!) or a sequel (looking at you Willow...
93: Did the Unicorn Get Toasted?
February 03, 2023 09:17 - 1 hour - 121 MBGit out yer swords and oversized hats, mateys! It is time for our Falling for Pirates series. Our first swashbuckling mission begins with the romantic, fairytale adventure Stardust, based on the novel by Neil Gaiman. Our agents were happy to run through The Wall to follow this all-star cast in an epic chase with royal intrigue and magic with a side of sky pirates.
92: A Pirate Emergency
January 20, 2023 09:58 - 1 hour - 31.6 MBOur intrepid romancers are back with the continuation of our Valentine-themed romance RPG. While they literally try to herd cats, it becomes a romantic chase story. Who will find whom? What is happening with Magnus’ kids? Will this Valentine’s Day Dance ever happen? Tune in to join Betty (Kathy), Cameron (Will), Magnus (James), Mayor Miranda (Kirsten), Stella (Shelly), and Ms. Harper (Jean) in this rollicking romance.
91: With a Cat on My Head
January 06, 2023 09:51 - 56 minutes - 26.1 MBA long time ago, for our second anniversary, we recorded a Valentine-themed romance RPG. As we head back into the new year, with our third anniversary fast approaching, we are releasing part one of this delightful, cat-centric romance story. Join Betty (Kathy), Cameron (Will), Magnus (James), Mayor Miranda (Kirsten), Stella (Shelly), and Ms. Harper (Jean) as they try to plan the Valentine Dance of their dreams. This is our second romantic role-playing game using the Warmer in Winter game from...
90: Serial Killer Android Angels
December 23, 2022 10:39 - 1 hour - 31.2 MBIt’s that time of year again! We’ve got our ugly sweaters on and some of the agents who are all in the same city gathered for snacks, cocktails, and a daylong holiday movie marathon! We discuss the ineffable definition of chemistry and why some actors have it and some don’t. We also evaluate the quality of the movies we’ve been watching from a variety of criteria: Is it good/good? Is it bad in the best way? Was there chemistry? Did I have a good bingo card round? Does it remind us of Do...
89: Hat on a Fuzzy Hat
December 09, 2022 10:22 - 42 minutes - 19.5 MBWe are back with Season 3 of Agents of SMOOCH. We couldn’t let prime romance movie season pass us by. So we are starting with Lindsay Lohan’s holiday offering: Falling for Christmas. Join our agents as they discuss what worked, what didn’t, which snow was fake, and what makes this a very good movie for our holiday bingo cards.
88: It Starts with the Eyes
October 28, 2022 08:22 - 1 hour - 54.5 MBJoin our Incomprehensible Agents of SMOOCH for a special Halloween movie commentary. Cue up the 1991 version of The Addams Family and get ready for some serious romantic gazes with the Addams Family. This movie is a family classic but under the surface has a lot of simmering heat that makes it perfect for a romantic Halloween mission.
87: Romance on Pause
September 16, 2022 13:47 - 1 minute - 870 KBA brief announcement from our Director and a preview of what is coming in Season 3 of Agents of SMOOCH on starting October 28.
86: Meet Fruit Cute
September 02, 2022 08:07 - 1 hour - 33.4 MBJoin us for a mission of love of Ever After. Is it the perfect retelling of Cinderella? Possibly. For a movie that is 25 years old (seriously, we are all old), it generally holds up. All the Agents on this mission have been watching and rewatching Ever After for all those years and are prepared to pick apart what they like, what they would fix, and why they mute the credit. Get your apple throwing arm ready and join us for our happily ever after.
85: This RomCom has Good UI
August 19, 2022 08:00 - 1 hour - 31.7 MBOur Agents revisit a modern classic or perhaps a cult favourite for many of us. A movie about books, authors, readers, and a cognizant watch that is, indeed, Stranger than Fiction. Some of our Agents have seen this movie repeatedly, but we have two Agents coming to it with completely fresh perspectives. We delve into the twists and turns of this movie to decide if this movie holds up and how we feel about Will Ferrell’s performance (variable). We’ve got romance, academics, and Emma Thompson, ...
84: Warm Bath of a Book
August 05, 2022 09:52 - 1 hour - 37.3 MBBy special Agent request, our Agents are discussing a 2022 independently-published book Legends & Lattes: A Novel of High Fantasy and Low Stakes by Travis Baldree which will be re-released this November through Tor. This warm bath of a book gave us all a warm glow and we just wanted to share that feeling with all of you. Take some DnD style characters in a setting reminiscent of the Forgotten Realms but (mostly) put down your weapons and pull up a chair for a latte and warm pastries. We have ...
83: 6 Kids and an RV
July 22, 2022 08:53 - 1 hour - 41.1 MBOur agents want to talk about Stranger Things. It is a nostalgic-filled, horror-fueled, teen drama with SO many ships to sail. Join us on this mission that covers all four seasons of the show. This episode is full of spoilers but our Agents spend little time talking about the plot. We do talk about character arcs and relationship development. The Agents realize that they have impassioned opinions about OTPs the NOT OTPs and who is the most boring burger. Not even our Agents knew how much they...
82: Love and Bigfoot
July 08, 2022 08:34 - 1 hour - 31.1 MBOur Agents are back again to complete their romantic adventure in Hopewell Springs. The morning dawns over our winter festival and almost everyone is excited. But not everything is happening quite as they wanted. Will we save Ruby’s mysterious ritual? Will we ever see Big Foot? Will anyone actually SMOOCH? Join Ruby (Julia), Amelia (KatyBeth), Jac (Heather), and Ellie (Riley) in our grand finale.
81: Glow Up for Real
June 24, 2022 08:24 - 1 hour - 31.7 MBAre we a romance podcast if we aren’t talking about Bridgerton? We are back for Season 2 and Katony is here to try to win our hearts. Join our agents as they discuss love triangles, chemistry, and a slow-burn romance. We are in love with all the South Asian and Bollywood influences on this season. Do we love everything? Is there too much scandal? Did they show us the wrong wedding? Get out your mallet, it is time for the pall mall.
80: This is a Ghost Podcasting
June 10, 2022 09:17 - 1 hour - 38.6 MBJoin our Agents as they reunite for the Matrix Resurrections movie. We are enjoying that this sequel confirms all our predictions and feelings about the Matrix being a romance series. The sequel was an unexpected surprise 20 years later. Although it was pretty much nothing like we were expecting it was the romance we wanted. We may not like everything about the sequel but in the end, we are painting everything with all the rainbows.
79: Hot Pink Sequins in the Amazon
May 27, 2022 08:24 - 57 minutes - 26.5 MBWe are back with a rollicking romantic adventure! Our Agents went to see The Lost City in actual theatres with snacks. And they were not disappointed in Sandra Bullock’s comedic performance in the sparkliest hot pink jumpsuit. Listen to our Director try to say Channing Tatum while our Agents are oozing love for Dash/Alan. Warning: This episode could result in giant tables of charcuterie. Incomparable Memberships!: Sign up, support our show, and get access to exclusive podcasts!
78: Mission: Season 2
May 13, 2022 08:26 - 5 minutes - 2.71 MBWe are back with a little teaser for our season 2 and to tell you about the amazing podcast network we are part of The Incomparable. Incomparable Memberships!: Sign up, support our show, and get access to exclusive podcasts!
77: Agency Memo
February 25, 2022 12:37 - 1 minute - 649 KBThe S.M.O.O.C.H. Agency is making a change to our schedule. After two years of consistent podcasts, we are switching to a seasonal schedule. We are already hard at work recording new episodes for you and we will be back soon.
76: When Bigfoot Carried You
February 11, 2022 09:00 - 1 hour - 36.8 MBIt’s our second Anniversary and the Agency has convened two groups of friends to play the romantic role-playing game Warmer in Winters from Will Lentz. In our first romantic adventure, our characters are gathered in the small town of Hopewell Springs just before the Winter Solstice Festival. Some ne’er-do-wells are trying to stop the festival because it is too witchy. Pebbles will be tossed. Ruckuses will be instigated. But will our friends save the festival? Will we actually see Bigfoot? Whe...
75: Aspirational Spaces
January 28, 2022 09:52 - 55 minutes - 25.6 MBThis week we are sharing an episode of our favourite Old Movie podcast hosted by Agent Shelly Brisbin. It’s time for Lions Towers & Shields. We discuss a classic mystery that mixes romance with suspense in the most perfect way… All this fuss over one lady in a painting. Laura! Loads of men want her, she has a song that’s quite memorable, and everyone in this movie talks about her constantly. Otto Preminger directs Gene Tierney, Vincent Price, Dana Andrews, and Clifton Webb. It’s a great c...
74: Love in All the Universes
January 14, 2022 09:24 - 1 hour - 28.8 MBJoin our Agents as they dive into another romance-saturated, sci-fi story. This time they are discussing all 5 seasons of Fringe, because what was the pandemic for, if not to rewatch all our comfort shows? Fringe is more proof that you can take a procedural science fiction show and blend in the romance perfectly. Comparisons to X-Files were inevitable. We cover the important beats of all five seasons and ponder the important questions such as Do we like Fauxlivia? And why aren’t there more As...
73: The Smoochiest of Smooches
December 31, 2021 09:19 - 1 hour - 30.2 MBThis might be the smoochiest of Agents of S.M.O.O.C.H. episodes and likely overdue. We are holding a favourite kiss draft just in time for the New Year. We have all kinds of kisses for you from movies and television, classics and new shows. They all get our Agents’ motors going and our hearts humming. So get out your chapstick and lip gloss. It’s time to SMOOCH. See our extensive show notes for all our picks and related links if you want to watch along.
72: A (Not) Definitive Guide to Christmas
December 17, 2021 10:12 - 37 minutes - 17.3 MBJoin some of our Agents for a cozy in-person recording. They are cozied up in Christmas sweaters and Santa hats (really) and surrounded by snacks (or the remains of them). They have paused in the middle of a Christmas movie marathon to tell you about their favourite Christmas movies and try to answer all your holiday movie questions: Why are there SO MANY Christmas movies? What makes a good one? What makes them angry? What would they like to see improved? Why are we eating so many snacks? Com...